Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)

I saw a documentary on Youtube about Megadeth and I think this song is about his stepfather who didn't like Dave's interest in heavy metal.

Part 1 of 11: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnwZ_7fAyDg

Besides the obvious fact that it's about an annoying judgmental person, I think it might specifically be about an old friend because of the way in the beginning he talks about stabbing in the back and how they constantly fight, just like ex-friends would.

Although Mustaine has not publicly spoke about the meaning of the song, it is speculated that the song is about Mustaine's sister's husband whom he lived with. Mustaine's brother-in-law disagreed with his interested in heavy metal and didn't allow it. "You hate the way I wear my clothes", "You think you know what's best for me", "You hate everything you've seen in me" are lines quoted from the song showing the anger Mustaine felt about the issue.

I think this song could be about paparazzi or tabloid media. It could also be about internet comments (or trolls) or the music media.

"I see you in the shadows" sounds like a stalker, which was why I thought paparazzi. It could be someone making comments in a dark room behind a computer screen.

The subject criticizes his clothes, friends, hangouts, choices, and everything about him. I gets to him, in his head, and underneath his skin. This lends credence to the idea that it could be someone close to him. I deeply relate to the line "you only point out faults; anxiety attack". I've read, heard, or heard about people disparaging me and had it cause that anxious feeling in me. I like the takeaway message from the song: it's his life to live, and he's not going to let it get him too worked up or change him (costs so much more than the price I ain't gonna pay). Besides, if you spend your life, watching, criticising, and pointing out the flaws in others, the quality of your own life suffers.